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5/ TheBucknerClarion.com June 12, 2014 Tanning Salon Risks Bringing 'Pasty' Back to Avoid Skin Cancer By Hollis Schneiders Summer is here and so is the desire for a summertime glow. Many people, including teenagers, resort to indoor tanning to achieve a golden bronze. In fact, 13 percent of high school students use a tanning bed. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people who use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent. Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, with about 76,000 new diagnoses each year. In response to risks associated with indoor tanning, Missouri lawmakers have filed a bill that would require parental consent for anyone under 17 to use indoor tanning devices, making it tougher for teens to use tanning beds. A similar bill filed in 2012 did not pass, although some tanning salons have already decided to require parental consent for minors. Many young tanners are considered "event tanners," meaning they only tan before special occasions such as dances and vacations. Even infrequent use of tanning beds can lead to harm. Jordan Stanley, a student at the University of Missouri Kansas City, once considered herself an event tanner, but now says her tanning days are over. "I had a mole removed in 2012 that came back abnormal. It was categorized as Spitz nevus or juvenile melanoma," Stanley said. "My dermatologist said they needed to go in and make sure all of the abnormal cells were removed and so, I found myself in the surgery room. The original mole was less than a centimeter but the scar I have today is 3 inches." Stanley encourages people to be cognizant of changes in their skin. Her dermatologist said that as people get older, increased mole growth is common, but if something looks abnormal it needs to be checked out. "I noticed something was different when a new mole popped up on my back," Stanley said. "It was easily irritated, slightly raised and much darker than any other mole – almost black." According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, today melanomas are more frequently discovered at earlier stages, when they are easiest to treat because more people are paying attention and becoming aware of changes in their skin. The National Cancer Institute warns that the first sign of melanoma is a change in the shape, color, size or feel of an existing mole. It may also appear in a new mole. It is important to check your skin regularly; however, melanoma can only be diagnosed by removing tissue to be checked for cancer cells. According to the Melanoma Education Foundation, the most common locations for melanoma are: ● Back of the lower legs for Caucasian females ● Back for Caucasian males ● Feet and hands for African- Americans, Asians and Hispanics Indoor tanning exposes users to ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage the skin and lead to cancer; however, UV exposure can also come from the sun. "I played a lot of sports growing up, had softball tournaments almost every weekend and lived at the pool during the week," Stanley said. "After learning more about how important it is to protect your skin, I think twice about going out in the sun, and I wear sunblock on my face and neck every day." The Skin Care Foundation recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher daily, reapplying every two to three hours in the sun. Additional prevention tips are as follows: ● Seek the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. ● Do not burn ● Cover up with clothing, hats and UV-blocking sunglasses ● Use a water resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher for outdoor activities ● Keep newborns out of the sun ● Examine your skin head-to- toe every month ● See a physician every year for a professional skin exam As for teens who still long for the look of a golden glow, Stanley encourages using other options such as self-tanners. "Always use the foam mitts," she said. "St. Tropez mousse or St. Moriz have worked the best. If you have a special event and you want to be bronzed, these are two great alternatives to tanning beds." Spray tanning and self-tanning lotions provide a tan with less of a risk; however, caution is still advised. Spray tan mist and self- tanning lotions contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which interacts with skin's protein and amino acids to produce a darker tone. Health professionals recommend covering the eyes, nose and mouth to avoid inhaling DHA. Any type of indoor or outdoor exposure can cause skin cancer, premature aging and cataracts. "It is so important to be aware of changes in your skin and to take precaution," Stanley said. "As I was leaving the dermatologist's office for the last time, there was Jordan Stanley shares photo of three-inch scar after cancerous mole was removed. a poster that caught my eye and it is my newest motto: 'I'm bringing pasty back!'" " The original mole was less than a centimeter but the scar I have today is three inches." Jordan Stanley Stock image of cancerous, facial mole.

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